mastering mathematics - montgomery county public · pdf filemastering mathematics how to...
TRANSCRIPT
Mastering Mathematics
How to Study For a Math Class
Stacy Levy
Math Department Chair
Andra Metz
Alpha Team Leader
Pyle Middle School
Study Strategies for Success
Daily Approach to Success In the Classroom
At your Home
Studying for an Assessment In the Classroom
Practice Problems
Online Resources
Summative Exams and Final Exams
Additional Resources Getting Organized (yellow handout)
Math Test Taking Tips (green handout)
Problem Solving Strategies (blue handout)
How to Access Online Math Textbooks and Resources (pink handout)
Additional Online Math Resources (back of blue handout)
Objectives
Just a note...
Many strategies will be discussed this evening.
You don’t need to use every strategy for each
test. Try each strategy and decide what
works best for YOU.
Daily study habits in the math classroom
How To Take Good Math Notes
• Be attentive and engaged.
• Keep it simple.
• Be organized. Number all items presented in a list or a time order. Mark items that you do not
understand in a teacher color grading pen or in the margins so that you can look them up or ask
questions about them later.
• Use discussions, questions, and answers. Ask questions!!!
• Annotate your (home) work and correct all errors in a teacher
color grading pen. This will help you know what to go back to study later on.
• Communicate Clearly.
• Look for another way.
Notable Notes – During Class
Notes should contain the most important
pieces of information that you should know
about a topic.
Important vocabulary
Great examples
Real world applications and connections
Diagrams
Graphic Organizers
Good Math Notes
Listen as
actively as
possible to
explanations
and include
in your notes
any
comments
that might be
helpful to
you later.
It's hard to
remember
everything
covered in
class, so copy
all notes
written on the
board.
If an example
is worked out
in detail, try to
Include in
your notes the
comments
your teacher
makes.
Tips On Board
On
test!
Ask
at
TAG
Home Study Habits
Notable Notes – After Class
Review your notes after each class
Read through your notes and clean up anything you
need to clarify. Highlight any vocabulary words you
feel you need to review.
Go over any examples that were given to make sure
you can follow each step. Rework the Problems!
Your book
Getting to Know Your Book
•Use the table of contents
•In some of our books,
each chapter begins with a
review of prerequisite skills
•The odd (or even) answers
are in the back of the book.
•At the end of every chapter is a
•Study Guide
•Chapter Review
•Chapter Practice Test
•Chapter Standardized Tests
Reading Mathematics Materials
Mathematics materials require a
different kind of reading than you're used to in other subjects.
Using Your Textbook
The textbook has a number of useful tools...just look in the margins!
•There are study hints in the margin
•There are references to examples that match the problems in the margin
•There are references as to where to find extra practice problems in the margin
•So, where do you look?
IN THE MARGINS!
Look in the margins
Using Your Textbook Every lesson stars with a few pages of
reading and examples.
Using Your Textbook
Doing Homework
Try (at least some of) your homework the
night it is assigned. That way, if you run
into any trouble you can see your teacher
to get help with it BEFORE it is due.
Doing Homework
If you get stuck, look at examples in your
Class notes
In the textbook just before the HW problems
Online using websites
Using Your Teacher as a Resource
See your teacher during tag if you run into questions while studying or if you’d like some extra practice problems. Make sure your teacher is aware that you’ll be coming by getting a pass during interact or before first period.
Email your teacher through Edline if you have a question about what you’re studying while you’re at home.
Preparing for a math quiz, test exam or
another assessment
Know the Rules!
Even before you begin studying for a test, you should find out the “rules” of the test and what the test will cover.
• When is the test? How long is the test?
• What material will be on the test?
• Is this test reassessable?
• What will the test questions be like? Do all the questions count equally? Is there partial credit for short-answer items. Are you penalized for guessing a wrong answer?
• Is your textbook, handbook, notes, or a formula sheet allowed? Is a calculator allowed?
Math is Like a Sport
Looking over your notes is important but because you’ll have to do math on a math test, the best way to study is to also do the math!
Remember, the best way to get better at a sport is to not only read through and study the plays but to also practice the plays!
Do the Math
1. Retake old quizzes
2. Create a quiz
3. Make a study sheet
4. Use online and/or textbook resources
5. Teach someone else
6. Use your teacher as a resource
Where to find practice problems
Retake Old Quizzes
If you have any quizzes, exit cards, warm-ups
that cover the material you’ll be tested on, cover
the answers with post-it notes and retry the
problems.
Rework the problems you missed the first
time. This will allow you to see what
problems you are still struggling with.
What about the problems
you’re still struggling with
If you retake one of your quizzes and find that you’re making the same mistakes…
• Go to see your teacher during tag for some extra practice problems.
• Look back at your notes or in your textbook for
more examples like the problems you’re struggling with.
• Look on line for references on that topic
• Ask a study buddy to work through the problem with you
Study Early (and Often)
Keep in mind that for any math test, you should
start preparing as soon a test is announced!
•Studying a little each night allows you to try different
learning strategies and keeps reviewing from becoming
overwhelming or tedious.
•Starting to prepare in advance also allows you to see your
teacher as soon as you realize you need help (and gives
you time to check back in with them if necessary).
Getting Organized to Study
Organize your
Time
Space
Materials Math Assessment Specific Materials Did you receive a study guide in class?
Do you have your text book with you?
Do you have class or book notes?
Do you have all of your quizzes and retakes?
Do you have your corrected homework assignments?
Do you have access to a computer?
For more tips check out
The Fundamentals
of Studying!
Using the Online Resources
Self-check quizzes
Extra examples
Brain Pops
Vocabulary Review
Parent and Student Resources
Chapter Tests
at www.glencoe.com (no password needed to access these!)
Using the Online Resources
Using the Online Resources
Using the Online Resources
Using the Online Resources
Using the Online Resources
Using the Online Resources
Using the Online Resources
Make sure you have
scratch paper and a
pencil ready to help
you do the math!
Using the Online Resources
Using the Online Resources
Which Textbooks Are Online?
IM (Pre-Algebra 2008 edition)
Algebra Prep (Pre-Algebra 2003 edition)
Algebra 1 2003 edition
Final Exams
Save your materials from each
unit in a safe place so you have it
to help you prepare for
summative or semester exams!
Extra Resources
Great Source Student Handbooks
Math to Learn Math to Know Math at Hand Math on Call
grades 1-2 grades 3-4 grades 5-6 grades 6-8
Algebra to Go
Geometry to Go Content specific for that course
Great Source Parent Resource Books
Math on Call (6-8) Parent Guide: The Math on Call Parent Guide helps parents by covering key topics including:
creating a good learning environment
making the most of homework
helping students prepare for tests
bringing math into every day life
thinking about why your child might be struggling
Take the stress out of studying…
make a plan and make it fun!
Please contact me with any questions
Thank you for coming!